Remote login of a personal computer

ABSTRACT

A system for remotely logging into a personal computer includes a controller coupled to the personal computer and a remote control device. The controller memorizes a login password for the personal computer. The remote control device transmits a login signal to which the controller responds by sending the memorized login password to the personal computer. When the personal computer is located in an automobile that includes apparatus for adjusting at least one component of the automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at least one component, the controller controls the adjusting apparatus and memorizes at least a first component arrangement associated with the personal computer; and the controller responds to a first component arrangement signal received from a location remote from the controller by controlling the adjusting apparatus to provide the memorized first component arrangement.

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/400,439 filedApr. 7, 2006. Application Ser. No. 11/400,439 was filed as a division ofapplication Ser. No. 10/850,625, which was filed May 21, 2004 and issuedon Apr. 18, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,809.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to electronic control systemsand methods and is particularly directed to remotely logging into apersonal computer. The present invention is further directed to remotelycontrolling a plurality of preferred arrangements of at least onecomponent of an automobile in which the personal computer is located.

In the prior art it is known to provide a system for remotelycontrolling the position of a seat in an automobile. Such systemincludes a seat positioning control system for controlling adjustment ofthe seat to a given position; and a remote control device fortransmitting a signal that causes the seat positioning control system toadjust the seat to the given position.

In the prior art it also is known to provide a system for remotelycontrolling the door locks in an automobile. Such system includes akeyless-entry system for locking and unlocking one or more doors of theautomobile and a remote control device for selectively transmitting alock-request signal for causing the keyless-entry system to lock thedoors, and an unlock-request signal for causing the keyless-entry systemto unlock one or more doors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for remotely logging into apersonal computer, comprising: a controller coupled to the personalcomputer, wherein the controller includes means for memorizing a loginpassword for the personal computer; and wherein the controller isadapted for responding to a login signal from a remote control device bysending the memorized login password to the personal computer.

The present invention also provides a method of remotely logging into apersonal computer, comprising the steps of:

(a) with a remote control device, transmitting a login signal; and

(b) with a controller that is coupled to the personal computer andincludes a memorized login password for the personal computer,responding to said login signal by sending the memorized login passwordto the personal computer.

The present invention further provides a computer readable medium foruse with a computer in a controller that is coupled to a personalcomputer, wherein the computer readable medium contains programinstructions for:

(a) enabling the controller to memorize a login password for thepersonal computer; and

(b) causing the controller to respond to a login signal received from aremote control device by sending the memorized login password to thepersonal computer.

The present invention may be advantageously combined with the remotecontrol of a plurality of preferred arrangements of at least onecomponent of an automobile in which the personal computer is located.

Additional features of the present invention are described withreference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a control systemaccording to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of a remote control device usedin the control system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a control systemaccording to another aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a system according to thepresent invention includes a controller 10 and a plurality of remotecontrol devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c. The controller 10 is installed in anautomobile that includes a number of adjustable components 14 andapparatus 16 for arranging the components 14. The adjustable components14 may include, but are not limited to, one or more seats 18, a steeringwheel 19, one or more mirrors 20, a radio 21, a cell-phone interface 22,windows 23, an air circulation system 24, an air conditioning system 25(including heating and/or cooling components) and a GPS receiver 26. Thecell-phone interface 22 can be adjusted for accommodating cell phoneshaving different cell-phone numbers. The windows 23 may include asunroof window as well as the other windows. The component arrangingapparatus 16 are operable to provide a plurality of arrangements of theadjustable automobile components 14.

The controller 10 includes a computer 28 and a keyboard 29. The computer28 includes a processor (not shown) and a memory 32. The memory 32includes a computer readable medium that contains program instructions33 and memorized preferred component arrangements 34. The programinstructions 33 also may be contained in a computer readable medium (notshown) that is separate from the computer 10, from which separate mediumthe program instructions 33 are downloaded into the computer memory 32.

The controller 10 is coupled to at least one of the component arrangingapparatus 16 for controlling the operation of the coupled componentarranging apparatus 16. The coupling between the controller 10 and thecomponent arranging apparatus 16 may be accomplished by directconnection and/or by wireless interface. In most instances, the coupledcomponent arranging apparatus 16 can also be operated independently ofthe controller 10.

The keyboard 29 is used for causing the computer memory 32 toselectively memorize different preferred component arrangements.

Upon one or more of the coupled component arranging apparatus 16 beingoperated by a first driver to adjust at least one of the adjustableautomobile components 14 to provide a first preferred componentarrangement, the keyboard 29 is operated to cause the memory 32 tomemorize the first preferred component arrangement; and upon suchcomponent arranging apparatus 16 being operated by a second driver toadjust at least one of the adjustable automobile components 14 toprovide a second preferred component arrangement, the keyboard 29 isagain operated to cause the memory 32 to memorize the second preferredcomponent arrangement. Likewise, and upon such component arrangingapparatus 16 being operated by a third driver to adjust at least one ofthe adjustable automobile components 14 to provide a third preferredcomponent arrangement, the keyboard 29 is again operated to cause thememory 32 to memorize the third preferred component arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable automobile components 14 thatare adjusted to be in the preferred component arrangements include atleast one seat 18, typically the driver's seat, and one or more of thefollowing: the steering wheel 19, at least one mirror 20, a radio 21, acell-phone interface 22, a window position control system 23, the aircirculation control system 24, the air conditioning system 25 and theGPS receiver 26.

If a given numbered driver desires to revise his corresponding givennumbered preferred component arrangement, the component arrangingapparatus 16 are operated to revise the given numbered preferredcomponent arrangement, and the keyboard 29 is operated to cause thememory 32 to memorize the revised given numbered preferred componentarrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the keyboard 29 contains three buttonsbearing numbers “1”, “2” and “3”, that can be depressed to respectivelycause the first, second and third preferred component arrangements 34 tobe selectively stored in the memory 32. In other embodiments,alternative keyboards are provided.

The three remote control devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c are operable fromlocations remote from the automobile. The three remote control devices12 a, 12 b, 12 c are uniquely adapted for causing the controller 10 tocontrol the component arranging apparatus 16 to provide the threerespective memorized given numbered preferred component arrangementsthat are stored in the computer memory 32. In a preferred embodiment,each of the three remote control devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, whichrespectively bear numbers “1”, “2” and “3”, contains a button that isdepressed to cause a unique component-arrangement signal 36 a, 36 b, 36c to be transmitted for reception by the controller 10. Uniquecomponent-arrangement signals 36 a, 36 b, 36 c are respectivelytransmitted by each of the three remote control devices 12 a, 12 b, 12c. In a preferred embodiment, the remote control devices 12 a, 12 b, 12c are embodied in handheld devices. In alternative embodiments, one ormore of the remote control devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c is embodied in adevice other than a handheld device.

In a preferred embodiment, the three remote control device 12 a, 12 b,12 c are of a common manufacture, but each can be adapted to transmitonly a selected one of the three unique component-arrangement signals 36a, 36 b, 36 c so as to be incapable of causing the controller 10 tocontrol the component arranging apparatus 16 to provide a memorizedpreferred component arrangement other than the given numbered preferredcomponent arrangement for which the remote control device 12 a, 12 b, 12c is uniquely adapted. For example, the first remote control device 12 ais incapable of causing the controller 10 to control the componentarranging apparatus 16 to provide either the memorized second preferredcomponent arrangement or the memorized third preferred componentarrangement; and the second remote control device 12 b is incapable ofcausing the controller 10 to control the component arranging apparatus16 to provide either the memorized first preferred component arrangementor the memorized third preferred component arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the commonly manufactured adaptable remotecontrol devices 12 included in the embodiment of the system of FIG. 1contains a signal code memory 38, a code selector 40 and a signalgenerator 42. Three different signal codes are stored in the memory 38.The code selector 40 is utilized to select one of the three storedsignal codes corresponding to one of the three numbered preferredcomponent arrangements; and the number of the selected arrangement isapplied to the exterior of the remote control device. The signalgenerator 42 generates a unique component-arrangement signal thatcorresponds to the code selection.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the three remote control device 12a, 12 b, 12 c is of a unique manufacture that is adapted to transmitonly a selected one of the three unique component-arrangement signals 36a, 36 b, 36 c.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a distance measuring system 50 is combinedwith the controller 10 for separately measuring the distance over whichthe automobile is driven while respectively in at least some of thememorized component arrangements. In a preferred embodiment, thedistance measuring system 50 measures the distance that the automobileis driven while the automobile components 14 are in each of the first,second and third memorized preferred component arrangements. Thepreferred component arrangement that is applicable during each occasionupon which the automobile is driven is indicated by the controller 10 inaccordance with the component-arrangement signal 36 a, 36 b, 36 creceived by the controller 10 from one of the remote control devices 12a, 12 b, 12 c. The distance measuring system thereby provides ameasurement of the distance that the automobile is driven by each of thefirst, second and third drivers. A display device 52 is coupled to thedistance measuring system 50 for displaying the distances driven by aselected one of the drivers during a selected period. Such a display isprovided in response to operation of the keyboard 29.

Although three preferred component arrangements and three remote controldevices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c are included in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,two or more than three preferred component arrangements and respectiveremote control devices for transmitting a corresponding number ofdifferently coded component-arrangement signals can be included inalternative preferred embodiments.

In some of the preferred embodiments the controller 10 is also used forenabling each driver to remotely log into his respective personalcomputer 54 a, 54 b, 54 c that may be located in the automobile. Thepersonal computers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c may be installed in the automobile.Alternatively one, some or all of the personal computers 54 a, 54 b, 54c may be a portable computer, such as a notebook or laptop computer or ahandheld computer, which may be located in the automobile from time totime, but need not necessarily be located in the automobile at the timethat the controller 10 is used for logging into the respective computer54 a, 54 b, 54 c. The controller 10 is coupled to first, second andthird personal computers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c. The coupling between thecontroller 10 and an individual one of the personal computers 54 a, 54b, 54 c may be accomplished by a direct connection or by a wirelessinterface. The coupled computers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c can also be loggedinto independently of the controller 10.

The keyboard 29 is used for causing the computer memory 32 to memorizelogin passwords for the coupled personal computers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c thatare respectively associated with the component arrangements preferred byeach of the first, second and third drivers. The first login password isfor the first personal computer 54 a; the second login password is forthe second personal computer 54 b; and the third login password is forthe third personal computer 54 c.

The unique first, second and third component-arrangement signals 36 a,36 b, 36 c, which are transmitted by the remote control devices 12 a, 12b, 12 c and received by the controller 10 are also interpreted by thecontroller 10 as first, second and third login signals. The controller10 is adapted for responding to the first login signal by causing thefirst personal computer 54 a to be turned on and by sending thememorized first login password 56 a to the first personal computer 54 a,for responding to the second login signal by causing the second personalcomputer 54 b to be turned on and by sending the memorized second loginpassword 56 b to the second personal computer 54 b, and for respondingto the third login signal by causing the third personal computer 54 c tobe turned on and by sending the memorized third login password 56 c tothe third personal computer 54 c.

In alternative embodiments, a personal computer is not associated witheach of the preferred component arrangements. In fact there may not beany personal computers associated with any of the preferred componentarrangements.

Referring again to the program instructions 33 stored in the memory 32,such program instructions 33 inter alia (i) enable the memory 32 tomemorize a plurality of preferred component arrangements; (ii) cause thecontroller 10 to respond to respective component-arrangement signals 36a, 36 b, 36 c received from locations remote from the automobile bycontrolling the component arranging apparatus 16 to provide one of thememorized respective preferred component arrangements in accordance withthe unique received component-arrangement signal 36 a, 36 b, 36 c; (iii)enable the distance measurement system 50 to separately measure thedistance over which the automobile is driven while respectively in atleast some of the memorized preferred component arrangements; (iv)enable the memory 32 to memorize the login passwords for the pluralityof coupled personal computers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c; and (v) cause thecontroller 10 to respond to respective login signals 36 a, 36 b, 36 creceived from locations remote from the automobile by causing therespective personal computer 54 a, 54 b, 54 c to be turned on and bysending the respective memorized login password 56 a, 56 b, 56 c to therespective personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of a control systemaccording to another aspect of the present invention is adapted forcontrolling the position of a predetermined seat in a given automobile.This system includes a controller 60 and a plurality of remote controldevices, including at least a first remote control device 62 a and asecond remote control device 62 b. The controller 60 is installed in anautomobile that includes a number of adjustable components 64 and one ormore apparatus 66 for arranging the components 64. The adjustableautomobile components 64 include a predetermined seat 68, preferably thedriver's seat, and may also include, but are not limited to, one or moreother components, such, a steering wheel, one or more mirrors, a radio,a cell-phone interface, windows, an air circulation system, and an airconditioning system. The component arranging apparatus 66 are operableto provide a plurality of arrangements of the adjustable components 64of the automobile. The component arranging apparatus 66 include at leasta seat arranging system for adjusting the predetermined seat 68.

The controller 60 includes the same components as described above asbeing included in the controller 10, and with respect to such abovedescribed components functions in the same manner as the controller 10.The controller 60 is coupled to the seat arranging system of thecomponent arranging apparatus 66 and may be coupled to one or more ofthe other component arranging apparatus 66, such as the system forarranging the steering wheel and the apparatus for arranging one or moremirrors, for controlling the operation of the component arrangingapparatus 66 to which the controller 60 is coupled. In most instances,the coupled component arranging apparatus 66 can also be operatedindependently of the controller 60. The controller 60 is used to controlthe adjustment of the predetermined seat 68 to a memorized seatposition.

The first remote control device 62 a is adapted for transmitting a firstseat-position signal 70 a indicating one memorized seat position; andthe second remote control device 62 b is adapted for transmitting asecond seat-position signal 70 b that indicates a different memorizedseat position than the seat position indicated by the seat-positionsignal 70 a transmitted by the first remote control device 62 a.

The controller 60 is adapted for responding to the first seat-positionsignal 70 a by causing the driver's seat 68 to be adjusted to theindicated one memorized position and for responding to the secondseat-position signal 70 b by causing the driver's seat 68 to be adjustedto the indicated different memorized position.

Each remote control device 62 a, 62 b also is adapted for transmittingan unlock-request signal 72 for causing a keyless-entry system 74 in thegiven automobile to unlock one or more doors 76 of the given automobile.

Each remote control device 62 a, 62 b is adapted for transmitting boththe respective seat position signal 70 a, 70 b and the unlock-requestsignal 72 in response to a single manipulation of the respective remotecontrol device 62 a, 62 b, such as by pressing an “unlock door” button.

In one embodiment, each remote control device 62 a, 62 b also is adaptedfor transmitting a lock-request signal 78 for causing the keyless-entrysystem 74 to lock the doors 76 of the given automobile; and thecontroller 60 is adapted for responding to the lock-request signal 78 bycausing the driver's seat 68 to be adjusted to a locked seat positionthat cannot be utilized for driving the automobile.

In one embodiment, a safety system 80 is coupled to the driver's seat 68for preventing the driver's seat 68 from being adjusted while thedriver's seat 68 is occupied to the seat position that cannot beutilized for driving the automobile. In one aspect of this embodiment,the safety mechanism 80 detects when the driver's seat 68 is occupiedand is coupled to the controller 60 for preventing the controller 60from responding to the lock-request signal 78 by causing the driver'sseat 68 to be adjusted while the driver's seat 68 is occupied to theseat position that cannot be utilized for driving the automobile. Inanother aspect of this embodiment, the safety system 80 includes amechanism that physically impedes adjustment of the driver's seat 68while the driver's seat 68 is occupied to the seat position that cannotbe utilized for driving the automobile. In alternative versions of thisembodiment only one or the other of these two aspects of the safetysystem 80 is included.

In one embodiment, a safety system 80 is coupled to the driver's seat 68and the controller 60 for preventing the controller 60 from causing thedriver's seat 68 to be adjusted while the driver's seat 68 is occupiedin response to any signal 70 a, 70 b, 72, 78 received by the controller60 from a remote control device 62 a, 62 b or from a source that isremote from the automobile.

In one embodiment, a seat adjusting apparatus (included in the componentarranging apparatus 66), which adjusts one or more seats in response tothe controller 60, is inhibited from applying more than a thresholdamount of force while moving the seats (included in the adjustableautomobile components 64) in a backward or forward direction in order toreduce or prevent damage to someone or something disposed behind or infront of a seat. In one aspect of this embodiment, the threshold isdetermined to be not more than the amount of force that would berequired to overcome static resistance against said movement imposed bya minimum dimension of someone or something disposed behind or in frontof the seat. In another aspect of this embodiment, the presence ofsomeone or something behind or in front of the seat is detected whilethe seat is being adjusted by detecting an increase in the amount offorce being applied above the threshold required to more the seat whenthere is no resistance to such movement, and in response to detectingsuch an increase further adjustment of the seat is inhibited.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 may also include a plurality of personalcomputers 82 a, 82 b, which are coupled to the controller 60 so that thecontroller 60 can enable each driver to remotely log into his respectivepersonal computer 82 a, 82 b that may be located in the automobile byusing his respective remote control device 62 a, 62 b. In this regardthe controller 60 includes the same components as described above asbeing included in the controller 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, andwith respect to such above described components the controller functionsin the same manner as the controller 10 to memorize login passwords forthe personal computers 82 a, 82 b, to turn on the personal computers 82a, 82 b and to send the memorized login passwords 84 a, 84 b to thepersonal computers 82 a, 82 b. The personal computers 82 a, 82 b may beinstalled in the automobile or portable in the same manner as thepersonal computers 52 a, 52 b, 52 c included in the embodiment of FIG. 1and the personal computers 82 a, 82 b may be coupled be the controller60 in the same manner as the personal computers 52 a, 52 b, 52 c arecoupled be the controller 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the program instructions stored in thememory of the computer in the controller 60 inter alia (i) enable thememory to memorize a plurality of preferred seat positions and thelocked seat position that cannot be utilized for driving the automobile;(ii) cause the controller 60 to respond to a seat-position signal 70 a,70 b that is received with an unlock-request signal 72 from a locationremote from the automobile by causing the predetermined seat to beadjusted to a memorized seat position indicated by the respectivereceived seat-position signal 70 a, 70 b; (iii) causes the controller 60to respond to a lock-request signal 78 received from a location remotefrom the automobile by causing the driver's seat 68 to be adjusted to alocked position that cannot be utilized for driving the automobile; (iv)prevent the controller 60 from responding to the lock-request signal 78by causing the driver's seat 68 to be adjusted while the driver's seat68 is occupied; (v) enable the computer memory of the controller 60 tomemorize the login passwords for the plurality of coupled personalcomputers 82 a, 82 b; and (vi) cause the controller 60 to respond torespective login signals 54 a, 54 b received from locations remote fromthe automobile by causing the respective personal computer 82 a, 82 b tobe turned on and by sending the respective memorized login password 84a, 84 b to the respective personal computer.

In one or more alternative embodiments, portions of the controller maybe included in one or more of the remote control devices. For example,the remote control devices may include a keyboard, which is coupled tothe computer memory by a wireless interface, wherein such a keyboard isadapted for causing the computer memory to selectively memorize thedifferent preferred component arrangements and/or to memorize the loginpasswords for the respective personal computers.

In one or more alternative embodiments portions of the controller arecontained in physically separate devices. For example, some portions ofthe controller computer, the controller computer memory and/or thecontroller computer processor may be contained within separate devicesthat are disparately coupled to different arranging apparatus foradjusting respectively different automobile components.

In one or more alternative embodiments, one, more or all of the remotecontrol devices may include a plurality of numbered buttons that may bedepressed selectively for transmitting the respective uniquecomponent-arrangement signals or login signals.

In one or more alternative embodiments a controller and one or moreremote control devices are included in a system for remotely logginginto one or more personal computers in the manner described hereinabove,wherein such system does not include a component arrangement functionand/or is independent of a door unlocking function.

Not all of the features of the various embodiments described herein areincluded in any single embodiment of the present invention.

The benefits specifically stated herein do not necessarily apply toevery conceivable embodiment of the present invention. Further, suchstated benefits of the present invention are only examples and shouldnot be construed as the only benefits of the present invention.

While the above description contains many specificities, thesespecificities are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of thepresent invention, but rather as examples of the preferred embodimentsdescribed herein. Other variations are possible and the scope of thepresent invention should be determined not by the embodiments describedherein but rather by the claims and their legal equivalents. The claimsrequire no implicit limitations. Each claim is to be construedexplicitly as stated, or by its legal equivalent.

Regarding the method claims, except for those steps that can only occurin the sequence in which they are recited, and except for those stepsfor which the occurrence of a given sequence is specifically recited ormust be inferred, the steps of the method claims do not have to occur inthe sequence in which they are recited.

1. A system for remotely logging into a personal computer, comprising: acontroller coupled to the personal computer, wherein the controllerincludes means for memorizing a login password for the personalcomputer; and wherein the controller is adapted for responding to alogin signal from a remote control device by sending the memorized loginpassword to the personal computer.
 2. A system according to claim 1,wherein the personal computer is located in an automobile.
 3. A systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted for controllinga plurality of preferred arrangements of at least one component of asaid automobile that includes means for adjusting at least one componentof the automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at leastone component; and wherein the controller includes means for memorizingthe plurality of preferred component arrangements; wherein thecontroller is adapted to respond to a component arrangement signal thatindicates a memorized preferred component arrangement by causing meansfor adjusting the at least one component to adjust the at least onecomponent to the indicated memorized preferred component arrangement. 4.A system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted forcontrolling a plurality of preferred arrangements of at least onecomponent of a said automobile that includes means for adjusting atleast one component of the automobile to provide a plurality ofarrangements of the at least one component; and wherein the controllerincludes means for memorizing the plurality of preferred componentarrangements; wherein the controller is adapted to respond to acomponent arrangement signal, which is received with or is interpretedas the login signal and which indicates a memorized preferred componentarrangement, by causing means for adjusting the at least one componentto adjust the at least one component to the indicated memorizedpreferred component arrangement.
 5. A system according to claim 1,wherein the controller is coupled to a plurality of said coupledpersonal computers located in an automobile; wherein the controllerincludes means for memorizing a plurality of login passwords for saidplurality of said coupled personal computers, including at least a firstlogin password for a first said coupled personal computer and a secondlogin password for a second said coupled personal computer; wherein thecontroller is adapted for responding to a first said login signalreceived from a location remote from the automobile by sending thememorized first login password to the first personal computer; andwherein the controller is adapted for responding to a second said loginsignal received from a location remote from the automobile by sendingthe memorized second login password to the second personal computer. 6.A system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is adapted forcontrolling a plurality of preferred arrangements of at least onecomponent of a said automobile that includes means for adjusting atleast one component of the automobile to provide a plurality ofarrangements of the at least one component; wherein the controllerincludes means for memorizing the plurality of preferred componentarrangements; wherein the controller is adapted to respond to a firstcomponent arrangement signal, which is received with or is interpretedas the first said login signal and which indicates a memorized firstpreferred component arrangement associated with the first said coupledpersonal computer, by causing means for adjusting the at least onecomponent to adjust the at least one component to the indicatedmemorized first preferred component arrangement; and wherein thecontroller is adapted to respond to a second component arrangementsignal, which is received with or is interpreted as the second saidlogin signal and which indicates a memorized first preferred componentarrangement associated with the first said coupled personal computer, bycausing means for adjusting the at least one component to adjust the atleast one component to the indicated memorized second preferredcomponent arrangement.
 7. A system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a remote control device for transmitting the login signal.8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted forcontrolling a seat positioning control system to adjust the position ofa seat in the automobile to a preferred seat position and for memorizingthe preferred seat position; wherein the remote control device isadapted for transmitting a seat-position signal indicating the memorizedpreferred seat position; and wherein the controller is adapted torespond to the seat position signal by causing the seat positioningcontrol system to adjust the seat to the indicated memorized preferredseat position.
 9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the remotecontrol device is adapted for transmitting the login signal with anunlock-request signal that is adapted for causing a keyless-entry systemto unlock one or more doors of the automobile.
 10. A system according toclaim 7, wherein a portion of the controller is included in the remotecontrol device.
 11. A system according to claim 7, wherein portions ofthe controller are included in physically separate devices.
 12. A systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the remote control device includes aplurality of buttons that may be depressed selectively for transmittingunique login signals and/or unique component arrangement signals thatindicate respective preferred arrangements of at least one component ofan automobile that includes means for adjusting at least one componentof the automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at leastone component.
 13. A method of remotely logging into a personalcomputer, comprising the steps of: (a) with a remote control device,transmitting a login signal; and (b) with a controller that is coupledto the personal computer and includes a memorized login password for thepersonal computer, responding to said login signal by sending thememorized login password to the personal computer.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the controller is coupled to a pluralityof said personal computers, the method further comprising the steps of;(c) with the controller, memorizing a plurality of login passwords forsaid plurality of coupled personal computers, including at least a firstlogin password for a first said coupled personal computer and a secondlogin password for a second said coupled personal computer; (d) with afirst said remote control device, transmitting a first said login signalthat the controller responds to by sending the memorized first loginpassword to the first personal computer; and (e) with a second saidremote control device, transmitting a second said login signal that thecontroller responds to by sending the memorized second login password tothe second personal computer.
 15. A method according to claim 14, incombination with a method of controlling arrangements of at least onecomponent of an automobile in which said plurality of personal computersare located and that includes means for adjusting at least one componentof the automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at leastone component, said preferred arrangements including at least a firstcomponent arrangement and a second component arrangement, wherein thefirst personal computer is associated with the first componentarrangement and the second personal computer is associated with thesecond component arrangement, the method of controlling arrangementscomprising the steps of: (f) with the controller, controlling theadjusting means, and memorizing a plurality of preferred componentarrangements, including at least the first component arrangement and thesecond component arrangement; (g) with a first said remote controldevice, transmitting a first component arrangement signal that causesthe controller to control the adjusting means to provide the memorizedfirst component arrangement; and (h) with a second said remote controldevice, transmitting a second component arrangement signal that causesthe controller to control the adjusting means to provide the memorizedsecond component arrangement.
 16. A combination of methods according toclaim 15, wherein steps (d) and (g) comprise the step of: (i)transmitting the first component arrangement signal with or as the firstlogin signal; and wherein steps (e) and (h) comprise the step of: (j)transmitting the second component arrangement signal with or as thesecond login signal.
 17. A method according to claim 13, in combinationwith a method of controlling a plurality of preferred arrangements of atleast one component of an automobile in which the personal computer islocated and that includes means for adjusting at least one component ofthe automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at leastone component, said preferred arrangements including at least a firstcomponent arrangement that is associated with the personal computer, themethod of controlling arrangements comprising the steps of: (c) with thecontroller, controlling the adjusting means, and memorizing at least thefirst component arrangement; and (d) with the remote control device,transmitting a component arrangement signal that causes the controllerto control the adjusting means to provide the memorized first componentarrangement.
 18. A combination of methods according to claim 17, whereinsteps (a) and (d) comprise the step of: (e) transmitting the componentarrangement signal with or as the login signal.
 19. A method accordingto claim 13, wherein step (a) comprises the step of: (c) transmittingthe login signal with an unlock-request signal that causes akeyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile. 20.A computer readable medium for use with a computer in a controller thatis coupled to a personal computer, wherein the computer readable mediumcontains program instructions for: (a) enabling the controller tomemorize a login password for the personal computer; and (b) causing thecontroller to respond to a login signal received from a remote controldevice by sending the memorized login password to the personal computer.21. A computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein thecontroller is coupled to a plurality of personal computers, and whereinthe computer readable medium also contains program instructions for: (c)causing the controller to memorize a plurality of login passwords forsaid plurality of coupled personal computers, including at least a firstlogin password for a first said coupled personal computer and a secondlogin password for a second said coupled personal computer; (d) causingthe controller to respond to a first said login signal by sending thememorized first login password to the first personal computer; and (e)causing the controller to respond to a second said login signal bysending the memorized second login password to the second personalcomputer.
 22. A computer readable medium according to claim 21, whereinsaid plurality of personal computers are located in an automobile thatincludes means for adjusting at least one component of the automobile toprovide a plurality of arrangements of the at least one component, saidpreferred arrangements including at least a first component arrangementand a second component arrangement, wherein the first personal computeris associated with the first component arrangement and the secondpersonal computer is associated with the second component arrangement,wherein the computer readable medium also contains program instructionsfor: (f) causing the controller to control the adjusting means and tomemorize a plurality of preferred component arrangements, including atleast the first component arrangement and the second componentarrangement; (g) causing the controller to respond to a first componentarrangement signal received from a location remote from the controllerby controlling the adjusting means to provide the memorized firstcomponent arrangement; and (h) causing the controller to respond to asecond component arrangement signal received from a location remote fromthe controller by controlling the adjusting means to provide thememorized second component arrangement.
 23. A computer readable mediumaccording to claim 20, wherein the personal computer is located in anautomobile that includes means for adjusting at least one component ofthe automobile to provide a plurality of arrangements of the at leastone component, said preferred arrangements including at least a firstcomponent arrangement that is associated with the personal computer, andwherein the computer readable medium also contains program instructionsfor: (c) causing the controller to control the adjusting means and tomemorize at least the first component arrangement; and (d) causing thecontroller to respond to a first component arrangement signal receivedfrom a location remote from the controller by controlling the adjustingmeans to provide the memorized first component arrangement.
 24. Acomputer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the personalcomputer is located in an automobile that includes keyless-entry system,and wherein the computer readable medium contains program instructionsfor: (c) causing the controller to control the keyless-entry system; and(d) causing the controller to respond to an unlock-request signalreceived from a location remote from the controller by causing akeyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile.